
All Redbox Kiosks in Maine Are Closed
Maine has several Redbox kiosks all over the Pine Tree State, and they will soon disappear. A sad day for those who do not like change or struggle with new technology, but a devastating day for Redbox's over 1000 employees who haven't be paid, and will be left without a job, and without severance.
Redbox is owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and has 24,000 kiosks nationwide. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) purchased Redbox in 2022 for $375 million. During its most successful year in 2013, Redbox brought in almost $2 billion while having 43,000 kiosks.
What If You Have Rentals Currently in Maine?
I would say that's between you and your moral compass. If you go to their website for any information, you receive the following message.
Oops. Something unexpected happened.
If you search for kiosk locations in your area, a message will pop up saying, "hmmmm ... no locations here, yet."
The Interesting History of Redbox
Redbox began as a "side-hustle" for McDonald's believe it or not. Originally planned to be a kiosk for offering a 24/7 food dispensary, it wasn't until 2004 when the company switched the format to DVD rentals.
Unprecedented, Redbox initiated the "return anywhere" policy, which was something that their competitors could not offer at the time. This allowed renters to return movies and video game rentals not just to the kiosk at which they rented from, but any kiosk nationwide.
Redbox launched their version of a streaming service in 2017, but it was too late to play catch-up with the multiple other streaming services already being offered.
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